Pumping apparatus for grease and the like



Nov..19, 1940. c. \M-GlNTEfl 2 L PUMPING APPARATUS FOR GREASE AND THE.LIKE Filed July 10, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 19, 1940. c, w GlNTER2,221,763 v PUMPING APPARATUS FOR GREASE AND THE LIKE v Filed July 10,1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 d 4 9 l .v 7 m v 2 f4 mmmm i i wi w 1 MV////////////A E I Nov. 19, 1940. c. w. GINTER PUMPING AI PARATUS FORGREASE AND THE LIKE Filed July 10, 19:57

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 f WEEMMWM 4R mmnmmx Nbv. 19, 1940. I c. w.- GINTER2,221,763

PUMPING APPARATUS FOR GREASE AND THE LIKE Filed July 10, 193"! 4Sheets-Sheet 4 5 v Patented Nov. 19', 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECharles W. Ginter, Bryan, Ohio, assignmto The Arc Equipment Corporation,Bryan, Ohio, a

corporation oi Ohio Application July 10, 1937, Serial No. 152,959

x 8 Claims. An object of my present invention is to providecomparatively simple apparatus for pumping heavy greases or the like,particularly from an original container such as a commercial grease 5drum.

In connection with heavy or sticky greases contained in shipping drumsand the like, there has heretofore been a substantial problem involvedin the transfer of such material to the reservoir -1 of a pumpingapparatus so that it could then be pumped by the apparatus to thebearings of a truck or bus. 1 It is therefore a further object of myinvention to provide pumping apparatus in which a .15 pumping unitfloatson top of the'grease or material to be pumped, while the materialis still contained in the original container used for shipping it, both.the weight of the unit and the vacuum created by its pumping operationserving to 20 eflect economically the discharge of grease at pressurefrom the container into a dispensing hose or the like.

Another object is to provide pumping mechanism wherein the travel of thematerial being 25 pumped to the element of the pump which propels thematerial is reduced to a minimum, and such minimum is maintainedthroughout the entire material pumping operation performed in 1connection with a drum of grease, or the like.

Another object is to provide a pumping unit so designed that a followerplate for grease or the like being pumped thereby serves as a supportfor the pumping mechanismand also provides an efi'ective seal againstentrance of atmospheric air -35 to the intake or the pump and eliminatesthe possibility of troublesome air pockets in the grease.

Still a further object is to provide pumping mechanism, which isespecially adapted for pumping heavy greases and the like, such asare-now 4 commonly required in the bearings of trucks and buses, due totheir heavy duty operation, the

mechanism, however, being also applicable. for

pumping oils and light greases by a simple counterbalancing arrangement.

In connection with the structural features of the invention. one objectis. to provide a heavy duty valve mechanism for controlling thereciprocation of a compressed air operated power piston.

50 Another object is to provide in connection with such valve mechanisma means to prevent improper operation of the mechanism, due to a controlstem extending from the power cylinder, and thereby subjectedalternately to high and low 55 air pressures. i v

Another object is to provide pumping mechanism for grease or the likewhich is double act-- ing in character and which includesa combinationpiston and outlet valve. p

Still another object of the invention is to pro- 5 vide a means wherebyafter the pumping mechanism has been operated to completely dischargethe contents of a grease drum, the vacuum between the follower plate andthe grease may be eflectively'broken, so that the pumping unit can beremoved from the empty grease container and transferred to a fullcontainer for discharging its contents. 1

With these and other objects in view, my in vention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my.pumping apparatus, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, ashereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out -.in my claims, andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my pumping apparatus for grease and thelike, showing it mounted in a grease drum and counterbalanced for use inconnection with light greases or oils.

Figure 2 is a vertical, sectional view of the same on an enlarged scaleand omitting the counterbalance, the pumping mechanism in this figurebeing illustrated ,in connection with heavy grease, the, grease pumpingmechanism being shown started on the upstroke.

Figure 3 is an enlarged, sectional view of the lower end of the pumpingunit, showing the mechanism adjacent the lower end of the downstroke. v

Figure 4 is an enlarged, sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, thepump being turned a half revolution to simplify the description inconnection with Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on, the line 5-6 of Figure 4, showing arear elevation of the head of the pumping mechanism.

Figure 61s a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 4, showing anair-operated slide valve for the pumping mechanism together with anautomatic control valve therefor.

Figure '7 is a sectional view on the line 1-1 of Figure 6, showing portconnections for the automatic control valve.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 6, showing portconnections for the air operated slide valve; and

Figure 9 is asectional view on the line 9-! of Figure 4, showing portconnection -between the slide valve and opposite ends of the powercylinder, and illustrating a mechanism to insure iii! proper operationof the automatic control valve;

On the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference character C-toindicate an original container such as a commercial grease drum forgrease or other fluid material to be pumped by my pumping apparatus.Within the container C, the grease is indicated at [6.

My pumping mechanism includes a follower plate H on which is mounted agrease pump G and a power device P for operating the grease pump.

The grease pump G includes a. cylinder i2 within which is reciprocablymounted a combination piston and outlet valve l3 (see Figure 3). Thepiston and valve i3 is sleeve-like in character and a lapped fitrelative to the cylinder 12. The piston and valve sleeve l3 has a borei4. Through the bore M a piston rod 15 extends. The portion of the rodwithin the sleeve I3 is enough smaller in diameter than thebcre id toprovide a space l6 for the passage of grease.

' On the lower end of the cylinder I2 is a sleeve l1, which extendsthrough the follower plate ii and'is sealed relative thereto. The sealmay consist of a gasket washer I8 enclosed in a circular flange member[9.

Within the sleeve I1, I provide a liner 26 having a foot valve seat 2 i.A foot valve 22 normally seats thereon. The valve 22 has a stem 23slidably mounted in a hub 24. The hub 24 is part of a spider which hasan annular rim 25. The rim 25 is confined between a shoulder 26 of theliner 29 and a spacer sleeve 21. A gasket is provided at 21c.

Above the piston l3 and extending through the piston rod I5, I provide astop pin 28. The pin 28 may be retained in position-by a retainer wire29.

' The pin 28 is spaced far enough from a head 39 on the lower end of thepiston rod Hi to permit limited movement of the piston l3 relative tothe piston rod l5 as will hereinafter be described in connection withthe operation of the device.

The power mechanism P for operating the pumping mechanism thus fardescribed includes a piston, the construction of which is best shown inFigure 9. g

The piston rod 15 at its upper end has an annular groove 3| in which ismounted a split rin 32. The ring 32 is confined between a pair of plates33 secured together by cap screws 34.

The peripheries of the plates are shouldered to receive cup leathers 35,which cooperate with the wall of a-cylinder 36. The cup leathers 35 arenormally expanded against the wall or the cylinder by coil springs 31.

The cylinder 36 has a base head 38 and an upper head 39. The heads 38and 39 are assembled relative to the ends of the cylinder 36 by tie rods38a. Gaskets 39a are interposed between the ends of the cylinder 36 andthe heads 38 and 39.

The base head 38 is connected to the upper end 01 the grease cylinderl2. The means of connection is illustrated as comprising an annulargroove 40 in the cylinder I2 adjacent its upper end, a split ring 4ipositioned therein, and a retainer plate 42 for the ring. The retainerplate 42 as shown in Figure 2 is secured in position by cap screws 43.

Within the base head as, packing washers 44- are provided to minimizethe leakage of air downwardly from the cylinder36 past the piston rod15. The packing washers 44 are retained in position by a ring 45 whichengages the upper end of the grease cylinder l2.

An expansion ring 45a is provided for the packing washers 44.

expansion ring 45a. The upper end or the sprin 46 seats against a washer41 which is retained in position by a wire ring 48. v

To eliminate any possibility of air entering the grease being pumped orgrease entering the air chamber in the lower end of the cylinder 36, a

vent is provided between the packing 44 and the piston rod 15 and itscylinder 12 at a lap fit portion I2a thereof. This is shown as anannular groove 44a, a radial groove 46a and a vent hole 41a (see Figure9) A slide valve mechanism is provided for alternately admitting air toopposite ends of the power cylinder 36 and at the same time exhaustingair from the opposite end. The slide valve mechanism comprises (seeFigures 6 and 8) a valve block 59 slidable against a valve plate 58. Theplate 50 has an exhaust port 5| discharging to atmosphere and ports Hand53 communicating respectively with the upper and lower ends of thecylinder 36.

The means 01" communication between the port 52 and the upper end of thecylinder 36 comprises a passageway 54 (see Figure 9). The means ofcommunication between the port 53 and the lower end of the cylinder 36comprises passageways 55 and 56. The passageways 55 and 56 are connectedtogether by a pipe 51 sealed relative to the passageways 55 and 56 bygasket washers 58 and 59.. A nut 68 screwed onto the lower end of thepipe 51 is provided for tightening the gasket washers.

The valve block 49 is reciprocated relative to the valve plate 58 by asteni 6|. The stem 6| has a pair of flanges 62 for engaging the oppositeends of the valve block 49 for this purpose. One

. end of the stem 61 has a head 63 slidable in a bore 64 of a valvebody-66. The valve body 66 is mounted on the upper cylinder head 39 bycap screws 66.

The other end of the valve stem 81 is provided with cup leather pistons61 and 68. These reciprocate in cylindrical bores 69 and 18respectively. A vent 89a is provided to compensate for changes in volumein the cylinders 69 and 18 between the pistons 61 and 68. The bore 1i!is closed by a plug 1|.

The valve block 49 is mounted in a chamber 12 of the valve body 65,which is in communication with an air nipple 13. A source of compressedair is connected with the nipple 13 as by an air hose 14, as shown inFigure 1.

Within the chamber 12, I provide an automatic control valve, includingan oscillating valve block 15. The block 15 oscillates on the face ofthe valve plate 58, which plate is provided with a port 16.' The port 16communicates by passageways 11 and 18 with the cylindrical bore 16 (seeFigures 6 and 7).

The valve block 15 is provided with a port 19 on the surface thereofnext to the plate 68, the

A spring 46 is provided for the port 19 being milled into the block f15. one end of this port is adapted at times to communicate with theport 16 while the other end is adapted to communicate through ports 80with an exhaust bore 82 of a tubular oscillating shaft 83. The shaft 83has the valve block 15jkeyed to its inner end and an operating arm 84keyed to its outer end.

The lower end of the stem 86'has a head 88.

89 in the upper end of the piston rod I5. The

, bore 89 is enlarged sufficiently to prevent any from the bore aroundthe head 88. A stop platebinding of the parts and permits escape. of airis .provided for the head 88. The plate 90 is retained by screws 9I onthe upper surface of the upper piston plate 33.

In conjunction with the automatic valve including the'o'scillating valveblock I5, I provide a plunger 92 (see Figure 9) mounted in a cylindricalbore 93. It is packed relative thereto by a flanged type packing 94. Thebore 93 communicates by a passageway with the passageway 55.

On the follower plate II, I provide a valve fitting 96 having a checkvalve 91 normally spring-closed. The valve fitting 98 communicates bymeans of a tube 98 with an air nipple 99 (see Figure 5). The air nipple99 is mounted in a boss I00 with which the upper end of the tube 98 isconnected. The boss merely serves as a support for the nipple 99 and hasa means for connecting it with the tube 98. The tube 9.8 has a fittingIOI screwed into the boss.

The nipple 99 is normally covered by a dust cap I02. This cap'is readilyremovable so that an airor tire chuck can be applied to the nipple 99for releasing the vacuum under the follower plate II as will hereinafterbe described.

When my pumping apparatus. is used for pumping relatively heavy or stiffgrease, it will operate properly by merely-resting it with its followerplate .II on the upper surface of the grease I0 as shown in Figure 2;When it is to be used with light greases and oils, however, it isnecessary. to counterbalance it to a certain degree, depending on theviscosity of the lubricant or other material being pumped.

In Figure 1, I illustrate a counterweight I03 for this purpose,connected by a cable I04 to a supporting eye I05 of the pumpingmechanism. The cable I04 extends over pulleys I06. The eye I05 ismounted in the head of a casing I01 for the power mechanism P. The lowerend of the casing I0I isenlarged as at I08 and has its lower endconnected with the periphery of the follower plate II. The diameter ofthe casing I08 is preferably slightly less than the internal diameter ofthe container 0 Sb that it substantially wipes the-wall thereof duringthe settling of the pumping apparatus in the container C as theapparatus is operated.

A discharge pipe I09 is provided for the grease pump G whichcommunicates by a fitting IIO with the side of the grease cylinder I2.The fitting IIO includesan outlet check valve III. The upper end of thepipe I09 extends from the upper end of the casing I01 and is connectedby a'hose I I2 to a dischargenozzle or valve I38.

Practical operation placed therefrom through the outlet check valve III,fitting IIO, pipe I09 and hose II2 tothe control valve II8.

During the downstroke, the foot On the upstroke as shown in Figure 2,the head 30 of the piston rod I5 engages the lower end of the pistonsleeve I8, thus acting as an outlet valve. The sleeve I8 displaces thegrease above it through the pipe I09 as the upstroke proceeds and thusby having the pistonrod .I5 relatively large, there is substantiallyequal displacement both upon the up and down strokesof the pumpingmechanism, thereby providing a double acting pump.

. During the upstroke, the valve 22 opens due to the vacuum createdwithin the liner sleeve 20 and the grease I0 is drawn in past the valve.The

, grease taken in is that adjacent the valve 22 and there is a generalmovement of the grease from foot valve 22 during the upstroke. Thiscauses a slight settling of the entire unit during each upstroke, whilethe relatively large surface of contact between the grease and thefollower plate and also'between the periphery of the cylindrical casingI08 and the interior wall of the grease container 0 provide an effectiveseal against atmospheric air entering the pump. The weight of thepumping unit also serves to eliminate any air pockets in the greasewhile the proximity of the grease pump G to the lower surface of thefollower plate reduces the necessity of drawing the grease any distanceto a minimum. This obviously is particularly desirable in connectionwith heavy greases and by having the pumping unit following the recedingsurface of the grease, this minimum distance is maintained. I

The downstroke of the power piston in Figure 9 has rocked the controllever 84 in a clockwise direction. thus rocking the valve block 15 ofFigure 6 in a counter-clockwise direction (shown by full lines). Thisconnects the port I8 with atmosphere through the exhaust bore 82 of thetubular oscillating shaft 83 to discharge compressed air from the valvecylinder I0 of Figure 8. The chamber I2, it will be remembered, isconstantly charged with compressed air from the nipple I3. Accordinglywhen the air is discharged to atmosphere from the cylinder 10, the airin the chamber 12 acts upon the piston 61 to change the position of theslide valve 49'.

Such change in position of the slide valve will connect the port 52 withthe exhaust port BI,

thus permitting escape of air through the passageway 54 from the upperend of the power cylinder 36. At the same time, the port 53 of Figure 8will be uncovered, so that compressed air Such upward movement does notbegin however until sumcient air has been exhausted from the upper endof the cylinder 88 and sufllcient compressed air has been admitted tothe lower end thereof to overcome the pumping load, and friction betweenthe working parts. For instance, the incoming air may be at lbs. persquare inch while the exhausting air may be at 40 lbs. per square inchwhen the upward movement starts. Due to the loose fit around the head"of the stem 88, the pressure in the bore 89 equalizes relative to anypressure in the upper end of the cylinder 88.

Obviously any pressure in the upper end of the cylinder suflicien'tly inexcess of atmospheric pressure toovercome the friction of the pack 75and the cylindrical bore 93. on the plunger (which is larger in diametercylinder. As soon as the piston 35 moves upwardly there is accordingly atendency for the stem to simultaneously move upwardly'with the plate 90and soon reverse the position of the control valve I5. This would resultin undesired short reciprocations of the piston 35 adjacent the bottomof the cylinder 36.

The'plunger 92 is provided to overcome such than the stem 86) positivelyguards against any undesired movement of the stem 86 upwardly exceptwhen the lower end of the bore 89 in the piston rod I5 engages the head88 ,to raise the stem.

At the completion of the upstroke of the power piston, the head 88 isengaged by the lower end of the bore 89 of the piston rod It: to reversethe position of the valve block 15 from its full line position in Figure6 to its dotted position. This uncovers the port 16 so that compressedair from the compartment 12 enters it and flows by way of thepassageways I! and 18 to the cylinder 10. In the cylinder 10, the airacts upon the piston 68 to force the valve block 49 to the positionshown in Figure 8. This movement occurs because the piston 58 is'largerin diameter than the piston 61 and the same air pressure on eachtherefor permits an unbalancing of forces, causing the stem 6| to traveltoward its righthand limit of movement. a

When the valve block 4!! assumes the, position shown in Figure 8, theport 52 is uncovered so that compressed air from the compartment 12 willenter it while the air from the port 53 will be discharged through theport 5| to atmosphere. This exhausts the air from the lower side of thepower piston and from the plunger 92 and permits air to enter thecylinder 36 above the piston 35 therein to thus cause downwardreciprocation of the power piston. At the lower end of the stroke,

the cycle of operations thus far described will be repeated.

After the contents of the container C have been discharged through thehose H2 and it is desirunder'the follower plate .I I, and thus releasethe 'ing 81 and of the arm 84, etc. operated by the stem 86, will tendto expell the stem from the follower plate and permitting it to beentirely supported thereby, I provide a very eflicient means forminimizing the distance between the intake of the pump and the greaseahead of the follower plate. This also provides an efflcient sealingmeans to guard against air entering the pump.

Some changes may be made in the arrangement and construction of thevarious parts of my pumping apparatus, without departing from the realspirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover bymy claims, any modifled forms of structure or use of mechanicalequivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope. Y

I claim as my invention:

1. In a pumping apparatus for grease and the like, a follower plate forgrease in a container, 9. drumlike extension upwardly from the peripheryof said follower plate, said follower plate and extension being freelymovable in said container and said extension constituting a guide forsaid follower plate to prevent canting thereof in said container, andpumping mechanism mounted on said follower plate and carried thereby soas to keep said follower plate in contact with the grease solely by theweight of said drumlike extension and the suction created by saidpumping mechanism, said pumping mechanism having an intake at thesurface of said follower plate which is in contact with the grease.

2. In a pumping apparatus for pumping grease and the like from acontainer, a follower plate loosely fitting the inner wall of thecontainer and pumping mechanism mounted thereon, carried thereby, andhaving an intake pipe provided with an intake opening at the surfacethereof which is in contact with the grease, said pumping mechanismincluding a grease propelling means located closely adjacent said intakeopening and an intake valve mounted in the extreme lower end of saidintake pipe.

3. In a pumping apparatus for use with a container of fluid material,pumping mechanism having an intake and an outlet, and means for mountingsaid pumping mechanism relative to a container of fluid materialcomprising a base plate for positioning on the surface of the fluidmaterial, a tubular wall extending upwardly from the periphery of saidbase plate, said base plate and tubular wall being guided .by the innerwall of the container and both being of smaller diameter than said innerwall to permit free settling of the base plate and tubular wall underthe influence of the weight of said mechanism without canting the baseplate and tubular wall with respect to the container, said intake ofsaid pumping mechanism being located on the under surface of said baseplate, said under surface contacting with said fluid material throughoutsubstantially the entire area of said under surface to preventatmospheric air from passing downwardly between said inner wall andtubular wall, flowing across said under surface and enterlng saidintake.

4. In a pumping apparatus for use with a container of fluid material,pumping mechanism having an intake and an outlet, and means for mountingsaid pumping mechanism relative to a container of fluid material,comprising a base plate for positioning on the surface of the fluidmaterial, said intake being located on the under surface of said baseplate, and a counterweight for counterbalancing said base plate andpumping mechanism to prevent excessive settling a follower plate forfluid material within a container, said plate substantially fllling theinterior of the container, and pumping mechanism mounted on saidfollower plate, carried thereby and having an intake communicating withthe surface thereof which is in contact with the fluid material, saidpumping mechanism including a cylinder, 2. piston therein and a pistonrod extending from said cylinder, said piston rod having a crosssectional area substantially half as large as the cross sectional areaof said cylinder to cause substantially equal displacement of materialfrom said cylinder when said piston is moving in either directionrelative thereto.

6. In a pumping apparatus for fluid material, a follower plate for suchmaterial, pumping mechanism mounted on said follower plate, carriedthereby and having an intake at the surface thereof which is in contactwith the fluid ma-' terial, an air conduit communicating with saidsurface for discharging air thereto to positively release said platefrom contact with the fluid material, said conduit extending upwardlyfrom said follower plate and terminating in an intake end adapted toreceive compressed air to eflect' such positive release.

'7. Pumping apparatus for pumping material from a container comprising apump, fluid pressure means for operating said pump, and a support forsaid pump, said support comprising a follower plate for the materialbeing pumped, said, follower plate being freely movable in saidcontainer under the influence of the weight of said fluid pressure meansand pump.

8. In a-pumping apparatus for grease and the like, a follower plate forgrease in a container, a tubularextension upwardly from the periphery ofsaid follower plate, said follower plate and tubular extension beingfreely movable in said container with said tubular extension adjacentthe inner wall of the container to guide the apparatus relative to thecontainer and to prevent canting of said follower plate-therein andpumping mechanism mounted on said follower plate and carried thereby andhaving an intake at the surface thereof which is in contact with thegrease.

CHARLES W. GIN'I'ER.

